Controlling apparatus



June 29, 1937. R. D, MoDlLl.

CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 6, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l mum.

June 29, 1937. R. D, McDlLL CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 6, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MNVENTOR "Ji/MMM Patented `lune 29, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROLLIN G APPARATUS Application October 6,

12 Claims.

This invention relates to controlling apparatus and is particularly applicable to controlling of hoists, elevators, or similar devices from one or more remote points.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved controlling means which will be simple in operation.

Another object is to provide an improved controlling means by which the operation of a holst or the like will be rendered extremely sale.

Another object o! the inventior` is to provide an improved controlling device which may be easily installed on or removed from a structure in which a hoist or elevator is to operate.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

The invention will be better understood from the description of one practical embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure i is a diagrammatic representation of the controlling means; and

Figure 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic view of the control apparatus associated with a hoist and elevator mechanism.

The control apparatus is particularly designed to be used upon a hoist which comprises an engine E, motor, or other source oi' power arranged to drive a winch W, drum, or reel from which a cable R. or other flexible element extends to support a cage or car C and to raise or lower the same. The connection between the source of power and the drum is shown as consisting of two magnetic clutches H and L and there is also provided a magnetic brake B.

The driving means may be of any desired type. such as an electric motor, an internal combustion engine, or any other source of power, and if an internal combustion motor or the like is used, the motor itself may be controlled from the same point as is the hoisting operation, by any desired means, one manner in which this may be conveniently done being illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 631,529, nled September 2, 1932.

The driving unit is connected in any desired manner as by a clutch to a generator I having a field 2 controlled by a rheostat 3. Current irom this generator passes through conductors 4 and 5 to a terminal board' 8 where the conductors are connected to a switch l.

F im one side oi this switch a conductor 8 pas; s to a relay 9 being connected to one end of the coil oi' this relay, as well as to one of its contacts. From the other contact of the relay a conductor I0 passes to a resistance il and 1932, Serial No. 636,511

thence conductor I2 is connected to one end of the coil i3 of a magnetic brake which controls the rotation of the hoisting drum.

From the other end of the coil of the brake, a conductor I4 is connected to one end of coils of magnetic clutches I5 and i6, the former being adapted to rotate the drun'. in a direction for hoisting, and the latter in a direction for lowering. From the other end of the coil i5 (of the hoisting clutch). a conductor il leads to one contact of a relay i8 and from the free end of the coil I6 (of the lowering clutch), a conductor i9 passes to one contact of a relay 20. A conductor 2i extends from thc side yof the switch connected to conductor 5 to the remaining contacts of relays i8 and 20.

It will thus be seen that when relay 9 is closed, current may pass from the generator through coil I3 to release the brake and thence to either of the coils clutches by which the hoisting or lowering operation is performed, and these clutches may be selectively engaged by the operation of relays i8 and 20. Preferably the relays are mechanically interlocked so that it will be impossible to engage both clutches at the same time. v

Means for operating the relays are positioned upon a control panel 22 which may be positioned at any convenient point and remote from the location of the relays themselves. Upon this panel is mounted a switch 23 for controlling the hoisting relay I8, a switch 24 for controlling the lowering relay 20,. a switch 25 for stopping the operation of the hoist in either raising or lowering. and a plurality of switches 28, which automatically determine the oor or elevation at which the cage shall stop. Pilot lights 2l and 28 are also positioned upon the board to indicate when and in which direction the hoist is moving.

Connected to conductor 2| is a conductor 29 which passes through a thermostatic switch 30, and thence through switches 3i, one of which is positioned at each iioor or station at which the hoist should stop. and which are closed only when the doors at these stations are closed, and

I5 or i6, to control the ductor 34 to one side of switch 25.

This switch is of a type which remains closed unless it is being held opened by the hand of the operator, so that current may at all times pass through it to a conductor 35 which is connected to one side of each of the switches 23 and 24. These two switches are of a type which remains closed only when manually held, the current at other times passing through interlock switches to be hereinafter described.

The thermostatic switch 30 is like, and may be used in place of, the thermostatic switch shown in my above mentioned copending application. Like that switch, it is intended to be positioned adjacent or in the cooling system of the engine, when an internal combustion engine is used to drive the apparatus, so that the hoisting appa ratus cannot be used until the engine has become suiliciently warmed up. In the former case, the thermostatic switch was in the circuit which controlled the operation of the mechanical clutch between the source of power and the hoist, while in this instance it controls the circuit of magnetic clutches.

From the remaining side of switch 23 a conductor 36 passes to one end of the magnetic coll of relay I8, and from the other end of this coil a conductor 31 returns to the board 22. From the last mentioned conductor, a conductor 38 passes to a switch 39 which is the top limit switch of the hoist or elevator, and is positioned to be opened by the cage when this reaches the upper limit of its travel.

From this switch a conductor 40 returns to the end of the magnetic coil 9 opposite its connection with conductor 8.

Hence, when switch 23 is closed, current may pass from the generator through conductors 2|, 29, switch 30, switches 3|, one of the switches 32, one conductor 33, one oi' the switches 26, conductor 34, switch 25, conductor 35, switch 23, conductor 36, relay 8, conductor 31, conductor 38, switch 39, conductor 40, relay 9, and conductor 8; back to the generator, operating relays I9 and 9 to release the brake and engage the hoisting clutch.

The pilot light 21 is shunted across between the conductors 36 and 31, so that this light will be illuminated whenever the hoist is raising its load.

Similarly a conductor 4| passes from switch 24 to one end of the magnetic coil of relay 20, and a conductor 42 extends from the other end of this relay coil to a switch 43 adapted to be opened when the cage is at its lowermost position and constituting the bottom limit switch. The other side of switch 43 is connected to conductor 40.

Hence, when switch 24 is closed, current will pass from the generator through conductor 2|, conductor 29, switch 30, switches 3|, one of the switches 32, one of the conductors 33, one of the switches28, conductor 34, switch 25, conductor 35, switch 24, conductor 4|, relay 20, conductor 42, switch 43, conductor 40, relay 9, and conductor 8; back to the generator, operating relays 9 and 20 to release the brake and to engage the lowering clutch.

Pilot light 28 is shunted across conductors 4| and 42 to indicate when the hoist is lowering.

Upon the board 8 are positioned a hoist interlock switch 44 and a lowering interlock switch 45, one side oi' each of these being connected to one end of the coils of relays |8 and 20, respectively.

and the switches 26 are all connected by a con- The other ends of the switches are connected together and to conductor 35 by a conductor 46. so that switches 44 and 45 are in parallel with switches 23 and 24, respectively, and so close when their respective manual switches 23 or 24 arc closed and remain closed to maintain the circuits closed after they have been momentarily closed by switches 23 and 24 until the circuits are opened, as by switch 25, 32, 39, or 43. These switches 44 and 45 are of conventional hold-in type which are moved to closed position electro-magnetically when the circuits with which they are in parallel are closed.

A third series of control switches is mounted upon a portable panel 41 and consists of a hoist ing switch 48, a lowering switch 49, and a stop switch 50, corresponding to :witches 23, 24 and 25, respectively. One side of each of these switches is connected to conductor 45. The other side of the switch 48 is connected to a conductor 5|, which, in turn, is connected to a conductor 35. The other side of switch 49 is connected by conductor 52 to conductor 4|. The other side of switch 5D is connected by conductor 53 to conductor 29, so that it will be seen that when the switch remains closed, the closing of switch 48 will permit current to flow through conductors 2|, 29, 53, switch 50, conductor 46, switch 48, conductor 5|, relay i8, conductor 31, conductor 38, switch 39, conductor 40, relay 9, conductor 8:

back to the generator, operating the hoisting and brake relays much in the manner in which their operation was first described, but cutting out the circuit of switches 30, 3| and 32.

Similarly, if switch 49 is actuated, the lowering 5 relay 2U will be operated and the clutch released. The panel 41 may be positioned at any con venient point, being merely connected to the other apparatus by four conductors which, for facility in installing, may be separable and a pronged plug or like connection 54 inserted in them, one part being upon some stationary part of the mechanism where it can be easily reached. Likewise, conductors 38, 40 and 42 are conveniently detachably plugged together by a plug 55.

The door safety switches 3|, and floor switches 32 are conveniently mounted on a. exible conduit which may be easily placed in operating position, and if desired, conveniently detachably connected to the board 22. By this means, the controis may be easily installed and moved from place to place Without the necessity for any permanent electrical connections being made upon the job, rendering the device particularly suitable for hoists used in building operations and the like, 'f

where its installation is temporary.

It will be obvious that when the control panel 41 is used, all switches 26 must be open, and conversely that when the switches on panel 22 are in use, it will be necessary to disconnect panel 41 by separating the parts of plug 54. Otherwise switches 25 and 50 would be in parallel with each other. and when either of them were opened the current would pass through the other and the hoist would continue in its motion instead of being stopped. As the switches on panels 22 and 41 are connected in parallel with each other at the entrance of their conductors to panel 6, it will be apparent that switches 48, 49 and 5D will eiect the elements on panel 6 exactly as would switches 23, 24, and 25, respectively, and that the actuation of the relays and the like will be precisely the same, excepting for the fact that the circuit will not be automatically broken by switches 3| and 32.

inasmuch as the panel 41 is not intended for general use. but is used by an operator when he wishes absolute control of the car independently of the means for automatically determining the position in which it stops. it is apparent that the connecting of switches 48 to 50 into the circuits of switches 23 to 25 between switches 3| and 32 and the relays gives him such a control. 'Ihis control is unaffected by the setting of switches 3i and 32. so that he may cause the car to stop between points at which the floor switches have been installed. and may operate it even when the doors are open. Such operation may be desirable at times, although. of course. the normal operation is through switchboard 22.

Obviously when switchboard 41 is in use, the circuits can be broken only by the actuation of switch 50 and no automatic provision for stopping the hoist is effective. For instance if switch 48 be closed. current may pass from generator I through conductors 4. 8, 9, 40. switch 39. conductor 38. conductor 3l to relay i8. thence through conductor 5i to switch 48. through this switch downwardly through conductor 4B to switch 50. through this switch and then through conductors 53. 2| and 5 back to the generator. As soon as this current has started to flow, switch 44 is closed so that release of switch 48 allows the current to reach conductor 48 through switch 44. Irrespective as to whether switch 44 or 48 or both are closed, the circuit will be broken by pressing switch 50.

The above described embodiment of the invention is applied to a hoist, but it will be apparent that the control could well be applied to other moving apparatus such, for instance. as a crane, car or the like, and that when applied to something moving in a horizontal direction instead oi' vertical direction, the clutches will operate to move the device forwardly or rearwardly instead of up or down.

While I have described the illustrated embodiment of my invention in some particularity. obviously many others will readily occur to those skilled in this art, and I therefore do not limit myself to the precise details shown and described herein, but claim as my invention all embodiments. modifications and variations coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A control apparatus for object moving means including a source of power constantly operating in one direction. a power transmitting device, means for connecting said transmitting device to said source of power to operate it in either of two directions, and a brake, said control comprising electromagnetie means operatively associated with the connecting means for moving the object in one direction. electromagnetic means operatively associated with the connecting means for moving the object in the other direction, and electromagnetic means associated with said brake, a circuit including said first mentioned electromagnetic means, a circuit including said second mentioned electromagnetic means, said circuits having portions in common including said third mentioned electromagnetic means, a normally open switch in the separate portion of said ilrst mentioned circuit, a switch in said portion of said circuits adapted to be opened by the object on reaching the predetermined position, a normally open switch in the separate portion of said second mentioned circuit. a switch in said portion of said circuit adapted to be opened by the object on reaching the predetermined position. a switch in the common portion of said circuits` and means normally maintaining the last mentioned switch closed.

2. A control for object moving apparatus which includes a source of power arranged to rotate continuously in one direction. power transmitting means connected to the object. connecting means between said source of power and power transmitting means for operating said power transmitting means in one direction. connecting means between said source of power and power transmitting means for operating said power transmitting means in another direction. and means preventing motion oi said power transmitting means. which comprises electromagnetic means controlling said first mentioned connecting means. electromagnetic means controlling said second mentioned connecting means. and electromagnetic means controlling said motion preventing means. a relay controlling said ilrst mentioned electromagnetic means. a second relay controlling said second mentioned electromagnetic means. a third relay controlling said third mentioned electromagnetic means. connections between said two first mentioned relays and the third mentioned relay. a circuit including said first and third mentioned relays and said connection. a manually operable switch in said eircuit, means normally holding said switch open. a hold-in switch in parallel with said manually operable switch, a second circuit including said second and third mentioned relays and said first mentioned connection, a manually operable switch iv said second circuit, means normally holding said switch open. and a hold-in switch in parallel with said last mentioned switch.

3. A control for object moving apparatus which includes a source of power arranged to rotate continuously in one direction, power transmitting means connected to the object, connecting means between said source oi' power and power transmitting means for operating said power transmitting means in one direction, connecting means between said source of power and power transmitting means for operating said power transcontrolling said second mentioned electromagnetic means. a third relay controlling said third mentioned electromagnetic means. connections between said two first mentioned relays and the third mentioned relay. a circuit including said first and third mentioned relays and said connection. a manually operable switch in said circuit, means normally holding said switch open, a hold-in switch in parallel with said manually operable switch, a second circuit including said second and third mentioned relays and said first mentioned connection, a manually operable switch in said second circuit, means normally holding said switch open, and a hold-in switch in parallel with said last mentioned switch, said circuits having a portion in common. a manually operable switch in said common portion of said circuits, and means normally maintaining said switch closed.

4. A control for object moving apparatus which includes a source of power arranged to rotate continuously in one direction. power transmitting means connected io the object. connecting means between said source o! power and power transmitting means for operating said power transmitting means in one direction. connecting means between said source o! power and power transmitting means lor operating said power transmitiing means in another direction, and means provenung motion of said power transmitting means. which comprises electromagnetic means controlling said ilrst mentioned connecting means` elcctromagnetic means controlling said second mentioned connecting means, and electromagnetic means controlling said motion preventing means, a relay controlling said first mentioned electromagnetic means. a second relay controlling said second mentioned electromagnetic means. a third relay controlling said third mentioned electromagnetic means. connections between said two first mentioned relays and the third mentioned relay. a circuit including said first and third mentioned relays and said connection. a manually operable switch in said circuit. means normally holding said switch open. a hold-in switch in parallel with said manually operable switch, a second circuit including said second and third mentioned relays and said ilrst mentioned connection. a manually operable switch in said second circuit. means normally holding said switcii open. and a hold-in switch in parallel with said last mentioned switch. said circuits having a portion in common. a manually operable switch in said common portion oi said circuits, means normally maintaining said switch closed, a plurality oi object controlled switches arranged in parallel in said common portion of the circuits, and manually operable switches for connecting any of said plurality oi switches into the common portion of said circuit.

5. A control ior object moving apparatus which includes a source oi power arranged to rotate continuously in one direction, power transmitting means connected to the object, connecting means between said source of power and power transmitting means lor operating said power transmitting means in one direction, connecting means between said source oi power and power transmitting means for operating said power transmitting means in another direction, and means preventing motion of said power transmitting means, which comprises electromagnetic means controlling said -first mentioned connecting means, electromagnetic means controlling said second mentioned connecting means. and electromagnetic means controlling said motion preventing means, a relay controlling said first mentioned electromagnetic means, a second relay controlling said second mentioned electromagnetic means, a third relay controlling said third mentioned electromagnetic means, connections between said two first mentioned relays and the third mentioned relay. a circuit including said first and third mentioned relays and said connection. a manually operable switch in said circuit, means normally holding said switch open, a hold-in switch in parallel with said manually operable switch, a second circuit including said second and third mentioned relays and said rst mentioned connection, a manually operable switch in said sccvand circuit, means normally holding said switch open. and a hold-in switch in parallel with said last mentioned switch, said circuits having a. portion in common, a manually operable switch in said common portion of said circuits, means normally maintaining said switch closed, a plurality of object controlled switches arranged in parallel in said common portion of the circuits. manually operable switches for connecting any of said plurality of switches into the common portion of said circuit, a manually operable switch arranged in parallel with the first mentioned circuit, means normally maintaining said switch open, a manually operable switch connected in parallel with the second mentioned circuit, means normally maintaining said switch open, a manually operable switch connected in parallel to the common portion of said circuit, means normally holding said switch closed. said three last mentioned switches being connected into the circuits between the object operated switches and the relays.

8. Control apparatus for an object moving device including a source of power constantly operating in one direction, a power transmitting means, engaging means for connecting the source oi power to the power transmitting means to more the object in one direction, a second engaglng means ior connecting the source of power to the power transmitting means to move the object in another direction. and a brake preventing motion of the power transmitting means. which comprises three electromagnetic means controlling said engaging means and brake, circuits including the electromagnetic means associated with the engaging means and having a common portion including the electromagnetic means associated with the brake, whereby the brake is rendered inoperative by the flow of current through either circuit, a manually closabie switch in the separate part of each circuit,

means normally holding said switches in open position, a manually operable switch in the cornmon portion of said circuits, means normally holding said switch closed, an electrically operated circuit closing device in parallel with each of said first mentioned switches adapted to close said circuits when said switches are actuated and to maintain said circuits closed until broken elsewhere, a plurality of switches adapted to be opened by said object when it reaches predetermined positions, and a plurality of manually operable switches for connecting any of said switches selectively into the common portion of said circuits.

'1. Control apparatus for an object moving dcvice including a source of power constantly operating in one direction, a power transmitting means, an engaging means for connecting the source of power to the power transmitting means to move the object in one direction, a second cngaging means for connecting the source of power to the power transmitting means to movethe object in another direction. and a brake preventing motion of the power transmitting means. which comprises a plurality of electromagnetic means controlling said engaging means and brake. a circuit comprising a common portion connected to each of said electromagnetic means associated with the engaging means and the braking means, whereby the braking means is rendered inoperative by the flow of current through the common part of saldi circuit, a switch in the separate part of said circuit normally in open position and adapted to be closed manually, a switch in the common portion of said circuit normally closed and adapted to bc opened manually. a circuit closing device in parallel with each of said first mentioned switches and adapted to close said circuit when said switches are actuated and to maintain said circuits closed until broken elsewhere. and a switch dil lil

in the separate portion of each circuit adapted t, be opened by the object when it reaches an extreme position.

8. Control apparatus for an object moving device including a source of power constantlyvop erating in one direction, a power transmitting means. an engaging means for connecting th.l source of power to the powa transmitting means to move the object in one direction. a second engaging means for connecting the source of power to the power transmitting means to move the object in another direction. and a brake preventing motion of the power transmitting means. which comprises a plurality of electromagnetic means controlling said engaging means and brake. a circuit comprising a common portion connected `to each of said electromagnetic means associated with the engaging means and the braking means, whereby the braking means is rendered inoperative by the ilow of current through the common part of said circuit, a switch in the separate part of each circuit normally in open position and adapted to be closed manually, a switch in the common portion of said circuit normally closed and adapted to be opened manually, a circuit closing device in parallel with each of said rst mentioned switches and adapted to close said circuit when said switches are actuated and to maintain said circuits closed until broken elsewhere. and a series of switches connected in series actuated by devices along the path of the object.

9. A control for object moving apparatus which includes a source of power-constantly operating in one direction. power transmitting means, a clutch between said source of power and power transmitting means. and a brake associated with said power transmitting means, said control comprising electromagnetic means operatively connected with said clutch, electromagnetic means operatively connected to said brake. a circuit including a relay arranged to engage the clutch and simultaneously disengage the brake, a manually operable switch in said circuit, resilient means normally maintaining the switch open, an automatic hold-in switch in parallel with said manually operable switch and arranged to close the circuit when the manually operable switch is closed and to remain closed until the circuit is broken elsewhere. and a manually operable switch in said circuit and arranged to break the circuit, and resilient means normally holding said last mentioned switch in closed position.

10. A control for object moving apparatus which includes a source of power constantly operating in one direction. power transmitting means, a clutch between said source of power and power transmitting means, and a brake associated with said power transmitting means, said control comprising electromagnetic means operatively connected with said clutch, electromagnetic means operatively connected to said brake, a circuit including a relay arranged to engage the clutch and simultaneously disengage the brake, a manually operable switch in said circuit, resilient means normally maintaining the switch open, an automatic hold-in switch in parallel with said manually operable switch and arranged to close the circuit when the manually operable switch is closed and to remain closed until the circuit is broken elsewhere, and a manually operable switch in said circuit and arranged to break the circuit. and resilient means normally holding said last mentioned switch in closed position, a plurality of switches arranged to be actuated by he object on reaching any one of a plurality of predetermined positions, and selective connecting means whereby any one of said plurality of switches may be connected in series with said circuit.

11. A hoist comprising a car, a winch. a cable passing from said winch to raise or lower the car. a source of power adapted to drive said winch, two clutches arranged to connect said source of power to said winch to drive it in either of two directions, a brake connected to said winch, electromagnetic means controlling the first mentioned clutch, electromagnetic means coutrolling the second mentioned clutch, electromagnetic means controlling said brake, a generator driven by said source of power, a relay arranged to connect said generator to said iirst mentioned electromagnetic means, a second relay arranged to connect said generator to said second mentioned electromagnetic means, a third relay arranged to connect said generator to said third mentioned electromagnetic means. a connection common to said relays, two circuits, one including said iirst mentioned relay and the other including the second mentioned relay, the circuits having common portions one of which includes the third mentioned relay, a manually operable switch in the common portion of said circuits, resilient means normally maintaining said switch closed, a manually operable switch in the separate portion of the rst mentioned circuit, resilient means normally maintaining said switch open, a manually operable switch in the separate portion of the second mentioned circuit, resilient means maintaining said switch open, a limit switch in the separate portion of said first mentioned circuit and arranged to be operated by the car at one limit of its travel, a limit switch in the separate portion of the second mentioned circuit and arranged to be opened by said car at the other limit of its travel, a plurality of switches arranged to be opened by the car in the common portion oi said circuits, a plurality of manually operable switches, each connected in series with one of said last mentioned switches and adapted to connect said car operated switches selectively into the common portion of said circuit.

12. A control for apparatus arranged to move an object, which apparatus includes a source of power. means for rendering the source operative to move the object and to render the source inoperative to move the object, which comprises electromagnetic means selectively controlling said above mentioned means, a circuit controlling saiu electromagnetic means, a switch in said circuit for closing the same. a plurality of circuits each adapted to move the object in a given direction, a switch in each of said circuits controlling the same. a portion of each of said circuits being common, a plurality of switches adapted to be opened by the object upon reaching any one of a plurality of predetermined positions, means for connecting any of said switches selectively into said common portion of the circuit, and a thermally controlled switch in the common portion of said circuit.

REX D. MCDILL. 

